The observance, themed "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams," was held to recognize and pay tribute to women around the world who have made a huge impact on society, said Lt. Col. Robert Mitchell, commander of the 36th MEDEVAC and rear detachment commander for the 1st Medical Brigade.

Students of Dance Xtreme performed at the event, representing ladies of the future, said 1st Lt. Erin C. Krebs. The school has been inspiring its students to reach their potential for three years now, she added.

The event's guest speaker was Sgt. Maj. Beverly E. James, U.S. Army Paralegal Sergeant Major, U.S. Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. James is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands who enlisted in the Army in 1981.

During her military career, James has received numerous awards, including the Army Commendation with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and has earned a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. She has held numerous positions of authority, including Chief Paralegal Non-Commissioned Officer, 21st Theater Support Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany, as well as several positions here at Fort Hood.

Her time as a Soldier, however, has not always been easy, she said. As a private in basic combat training, she was told she had traveled to the continental United States via banana boat. Later, she was reassigned because her supervisor did not want more females under his command.

James did not let this discrimination hold her back. For generations, she said, women have been struggling for equality. The fight for women's suffrage was, for example, the longest battle in the fight for equal rights for all minorities, she added.

Just a short time ago, women did not even have the right to a college education or custody of their children in the event of divorce, she continued. It is now women's responsibility to appreciate these relatively newfound liberties and use them to continue to build the possibility of hope for future generations, James said.

"(Women's History Month) is about restoring hope in the face of impossible odds," James declared.

She went on to say women in uniform have more to do than just restore hope.

"Build a foundation of peace for generations to come," she said.

This peace requires men and women to work together, she continued.

"It takes a team," she said. "You can't do it by yourself."

"(Women's History Month) is not about men versus women, but about men and women," she added.

James encouraged all Soldiers to work together, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion. She then reminded Soldiers of the Army's previous slogan, "be all you can be."